Teenager who put BB gun to social worker’s head avoids detention

A teenager who pushed a BB gun in to the face of a social worker and pulled the trigger has avoided being sent to detention.

Instead, Charles Cameron, 18, of Rannoch Road, Perth, was warned by Sheriff Lindsay Foulis at Perth Sheriff Court that if there was “a hint” of him not attending future appointments with council staff or a doctor he will lose his liberty.

The court previously heard how Cameron pulled the trigger of the gun when a council employee visited his home after the accused had missed a scheduled meeting.

It was established the gun was in fact empty but the incident led to the social worker stepping back in fright. The council employee believed the gun was a pistol when Cameron pulled the trigger.

Cameron had pleaded guilty to presenting the BB gun to the man in a common close on Rannoch Road on January 24.

Regarding a separate charge, depute fiscal Rebecca Kynaston told the court how Cameron called a social work team manager in Dundee a “mongol” and swore as he asked for his benefit money.

Solicitor Anika Jethwa, defending, said her client was “very anxious” about the court matters and “struggled” after spending time in custody.

“I am asking your Lordship to give him one more chance,” she said.

Cameron had also admitted that on July 28 at St Catherine’s Square, Perth, and at Dundee City Council’s social work department on Jack Martin Way, he sent a message to a social worker that was grossly offensive in that he made aggressive remarks to the woman.

Sheriff Foulis ordered Cameron to a supervision order for six months along with a medical treatment requirement regarding the above charge.

He deferred sentence on the BB gun charge, and also two offences where he broke bail conditions, on May 19 and on June 25, until October 15 for Cameron to be of good behaviour.

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